ZAMBOANGA CITY: Mayor Maria Isabelle 'Beng' Climaco-Salazar warned residents not to be complacent and to strictly follow health and safety protocols amid the threat posed by the highly infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19.

'We need to follow the strict public health protocols and always wear masks and even face shields in crowded areas to protect us from the virus, and to frequently wash hands with soap and water or sanitize them with alcohol or disinfectant,' the mayor told The Manila Times by phone when asked for comment on the possible spread of the Omicron variant.